Rafe Judkins to serve as showrunner; Series will be co-produced by Amazon Studios and Sony Pictures Television

SANTA MONICA, Calif., October 2, 2018 – Amazon Studios today announced it has ordered the one-hour action fantasy The Wheel of Time
to series. Based upon Robert Jordan’s best-selling fantasy novels,
which have sold more than 90 million copies worldwide, the series was
adapted for TV by Rafe Judkins (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Chuck) who also serves as showrunner, and is co-produced by Amazon Studios and Sony Pictures Television. The Wheel of Time will premiere globally on Amazon Prime Video in over 200 countries and territories.The Wheel of Time
is set in a sprawling, epic world where magic exists, but only women
can use it. Meaning that in this series — women hold the keys to power.
The story follows Moiraine, a member of the shadowy and influential
all-female organization called the ‘Aes Sedai’ as she embarks on a
dangerous, world-spanning journey with five young men and women.
Moiraine’s interested in these five because she believes one of them
might be the reincarnation of an incredibly powerful individual, whom
prophecies say will either save humanity or destroy it. The series draws
on numerous elements of European and Asian culture and philosophy, most
notably the cyclical nature of time found in Buddhism and Hinduism.
"The Wheel of Time
is endlessly fascinating and resonates hugely with fans as one of the
best-selling global properties, and we were drawn to its timely
narrative featuring powerful women at the core," said Jennifer Salke,
Head of Amazon Studios. "We’re thrilled to extend our relationship with
devotees who’ve found the book series transformative and welcome new
ones by bringing it to life on Prime Video for viewers worldwide."
"Developing
and producing Robert Jordan’s beloved fourteen-books-series for TV is a
big undertaking, and we don’t take it lightly," said Sharon Tal Yguado,
Head of Event Series, Amazon Originals. "We believe that Rafe’s
personal connection to the material and soulful writing will resonate
with the book’s passionate fans."
"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to produce The Wheel of Time
with our friends at Amazon," said Co-President of SPT Chris Parnell.
"In Rafe Judkins, we’ve found a brilliant visionary that is a true fan
of the books and ready to bring Robert Jordan’s world to life."
Judkins
commented: "For so many people, including me, this book series has
served as a world to escape to, to lose yourself in, to devour and
inhabit completely. And I couldn’t be more honored to be the one finally
bringing that world to life on screen, for old fans to lose themselves
in all over again and new fans to discover for the very first time."
Judkins
serves as showrunner and executive producer. Rick Selvage and Larry
Mondragon of Red Eagle Entertainment, Ted Field and Mike Weber of Radar
Pictures (Beirut, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle) and Darren Lemke (Shrek Forever After) are Executive Producers. Harriet McDougal is a consulting producer.
Amazon
Studios creates original television series which premiere exclusively
on Amazon Prime Video which is available globally in over 200 countries
and territories. This year, Prime Video will premiere a number of
original series, including the recently launched Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan starring John Krasinski, Homecoming from creator Sam Esmail and stars Julia Roberts and Bobby Cannavale, the third season of The Man in the High Castle and the upcoming second season of Emmy Award-winning The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.ABOUT SONY TELEVISION STUDIOS
Sony Pictures Television (SPT) is one of the television industry’s
leading content providers, producing and distributing programming
worldwide in every genre and for every platform. In addition to managing
one of the industry’s largest libraries of award-winning feature films,
television shows and formats, SPT is home to a thriving global
production business operating 22 wholly-owned or joint venture
production companies in 12 countries around the world. Sony Pictures
Television is a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company.